Caminer Law, LLC
Bridging the law & business of infrastructure
WBE, DBE, ACDBE, BEP and WBENC certified
Caminer Law, LLC is a WBE, DBE, ACDBE, BEP and WBENC certified law firm that assists in areas of certification, infrastructure, communications, real estate, legislative, regulatory and ethics initiatives. Caminer Law, delivers sound, thoughtful, and thorough business advice, legal judgment, and management and support services. Caminer Law serves individuals, businesses, organizations, and government entities. The attorneys at Caminer Law have expertise in municipal procurement, workforce development, DEI, ethics, legislative and regulatory, and not-for-profit matters.
News
In February 2022, Brian Caminer joined Caminer Law. Brian brings his vast and valuable experience in both government and not-for-profit organizations. Brian rounds out Caminer Law with his legal and management experience in areas including ethics, compliance, public sector contracts, monitoring, procurement management, and workforce development.
Infrastructure
Caminer Law’s services include advising local governments in areas such as aviation, transportation, water, wastewater utility management, stormwater management, real estate, and construction. Caminer Law has extensive experience in negotiating and advising its clients in areas such as contracts, real estate, legislative initiatives, and regulatory compliance matters.
In addition to legal services, Caminer Law advises and provides project management and oversight experience, identifying potential obstacles, unanticipated consequences, and surprises. Most importantly, Caminer Law is available to recognize opportunities to improve communication, accountability, and transparency with stakeholders, elected officials, customers, and others.
Caminer Law is the go-to law firm for municipal infrastructure, water, wastewater, and stormwater management issues where organizational change internally and externally is necessary to achieve the intended outcomes. Irene Caminer is experienced in Lake Michigan water and the IDNR water allocation permit process, rights of way, water quality, metering, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, the Safe Drinking and Clean Water Acts, stormwater management, safety and security, environmental, and regulatory and legislative matters. Brian Caminer brings public, private, and not-for-profit legal, legislative, and ethics experience and expertise to Caminer Law. Combined Irene and Brian have the skills necessary to advise and lead from idea through completion in a timely and efficient manner.
Caminer Law attorneys advise and work collaboratively on strategic solutions implementing strong accountability measures to define and develop written policies, procedures and programs including personnel, ethics, operational, safety, security, and other initiatives.
MBE/WBE Certification Process
The volume of documentation required for applications for Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), WBENC WBE Certification, DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification, VBE, State and Local Certifications is daunting, time consuming, and challenging. We provide the services and effort needed to follow-through on applying and responding to the myriad of questions asked and documents requested by the various agencies.
For non-construction businesses, the City of Chicago allows for an attorney to sign a Professional Declaration of Eligibility (PDE) on behalf of a non-construction business/applicant seeking MBE and WBE certifications. The PDE process reduces months of time to process applications for certification. With Caminer Law's help, clients have been certified in a shorter amount of time, giving them a leg up on the competition when submitting contract proposals.
Other Legal Services
As the former in-house counsel to the Chicago Department of Water Management, Irene Caminer's legal expertise spans areas including the Safe Drinking and Clean Water Acts, USEPA and IEPA rules and regulations, water quantity and quality, wastewater, stormwater management, environmental and regulatory compliance, litigation oversight, project management, budget preparation, legislative review and analysis, safety, and security. Further, Irene is knowledgeable about the history and the process for an Illinois’ Lake Michigan Water Allocation Permit.
As the former Ethics Advisor to the Chicago Public Schools, Director of the City Council Legislative Reference Bureau, General Counsel of the Chicago Department of Procurement Services, and Deputy of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development Brian Caminer provides superior municipal legal expertise to his clients in a collaborative, creative, and helpful manner.
Caminer Law also provides estate planning services including to members of ARAG.
About Irene
With more than 30 years of government experience, including 20 years as in-house counsel to the City of Chicago Department of Water Management, Irene’s advises clients on how to navigate local, state, and federal issues that confront business and government. She provides executive advice, counsel and leadership direction to new projects and initiatives. As a senior advisor to the commissioner in one of the largest operating departments, Irene worked with all levels of government, creating, and ensuring that the messaging was reliable, relatable, understandable, and well-thought through, prioritizing the department’s budget, regulatory and legislative needs.
In addition, from 2006-2017, Irene served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. On a more local level, Irene is active with the Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association, NAWBO, the Federation of Women Contractors, American Public Works Association, WTS Greater Chicago (Women in Transportation), and HACIA. Irene is a member in good standing with the Illinois State Bar and received her JD from IIT Chicago Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.
Irene's goal is to make a difference, be efficient, and work collaboratively to arrive at successful solutions. Irene knows that there is no simple solution for every situation. Irene is committed to providing a workable approach that meets the needs of the client and will help strengthen the organization.
Finally, Irene is active in her community. She regularly volunteers with social services organizations and served for approximately six years on the Board of Trustees, including the executive committee, for a non-profit organization.
About Brian
Brian brings public, private, and not-for-profit legal, legislative, and ethics experience and expertise to Caminer Law. Brian is well-versed in the laws and regulations including ethics, compliance, public sector contracts, monitoring, procurement management, and workforce development. In his role prior to joining Caminer Law, Brian was the Ethics Advisor to the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the 3rd largest school district in the country. Brian advised, trained, and addressed all ethics matters for CPS, including for teachers and employees, members of the Board of Education and Local School Councils, and contractors. Prior to this role, Brian served as the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau for the Chicago City Council. Brian earned his Law Degree from Northwestern University School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Michigan. In addition, he passed the Certified Public Accountant exam.
Recent Happenings
Irene is a proud member of:
March 2022 Irene Caminer presents Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace at the Illinois Section American Water Works Association Water Conference, Springfield, IL
January 2022 Irene Caminer earns Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certification from the University of Southern Florida.
January 2022 Member Monday Podcast interview by Elizabeth Colon, President of NAWBO Chicago.
December 2021 Irene Caminer receives WBENC certification.
November 2021 Irene Caminer presents with other ISAWWA Women in Water at the G.I.R.L. STEMinar by the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois in Normal, Illinois
November 2021 Irene Caminer presents to Canadian companies on Midwest Industrial Wastewater Technologies as part of the Consulate General of Canada in Chicago’s Canada@WEFTEC series.
August 2021 Irene Caminer presents The Importance of Preferences in Contracts at the Illinois Section American Water Works Association Water Conference, Springfield, IL
March 2021 Irene Caminer leads a workshop on elevator pitches for Chicago Bunker Labs Cohort, a national nonprofit for veterans
February 2021 Irene Caminer presents on forming a company in Illinois to the United States of Women, Chicago Chapter
October 2020 Irene Caminer delivers a presentation on certification at NAWBO Connect virtual gathering
April 2020 Irene Caminer publishes The Importance of Contract Preferences in Government Funded Projects with HACIA
March 2019 ISAWWA WaterCon Women in Water, “May the (Work) Force Be With You Leading the Way”
December 2018 HACIA, FEJA Contractor Training class, St. Augustine, "Contract Basics"
September 2018 ISAWWA Women in Water Webinar, “May the (Work) Force Be With You Leading the Way”
March 2018 ISAWWA WaterCon 2018, Women in Water, “Goal setting, success mapping, & resource utilization for the successful leader”
What Our Clients Say
Caminer Law, LLC relies on word of mouth and testimonials to obtain referral clients.
